The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak while NBA vice president of basketball Stu Jackson's office looked at the play.

While the NBA typically reviews all plays, the Wade play is drawing a closer look.

The incident happened at halfcourt with 4:05 left in the fourth quarter and Indiana ahead 89-88. Wade had just turned the ball over on a bad pass and ran back on defense as the Pacers pushed the ball. Stephenson was in Wade's way, and Wade leapt to ostensibly avoid Stephenson and caught him with a left elbow to the head.

Stephenson fell to the floor but remained in the game at the next dead ball.

It will be difficult for the NBA to find intent in Wade's elbow and suspend him for one game. He was running at near full speed to get back on defense and Stephenson had inadvertently moved into Wade's way. The incident appears too nebulous to warrant a suspension.

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There is some bad blood between the two teams, especially Stephenson, who gave LeBron James the choke sign during last season's conference semifinals and then was the recipient of an ugly foul by Miami's Dexter Pittman, who was suspended three games.

Asked about the play after the game, Pacers coach Frank Vogel said, "We're going to play through that. We know we're going to get hit. This is the playoffs. We're competing for a conference championship and a chance to compete for the championship. So we're not paying attention to any of that stuff. We're going to get hit, it's going to be physical. And we're going to play the game of basketball with great determination and great force, and Lance is doing that.